Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

Other tribunals such as the Bloody Sunday Inquiry set up by the British Government were not curtailed, despite the fact that they cost a great deal, were lengthy and the source of much disquiet in certain quarters. They ultimately were seen to have a beneficial impact on communities and relations in getting answers for people, which is what this tribunal should be about.

I urge Members to consider the Fianna Fáil amendment and not support the terse language used in the motion. The Minister has many advisers whom I urge to move on from using Civil Service legalese language when dealing with issues such as this. It is important to point out that the language used in the motion is extraordinary. I, therefore, urge Members to support the Fianna Fáil amendment to the motion. Ours is a much more realistic motion which takes into account the complexities of the issues and relations involved, while recognising that tribunal costs and delays are matters of serious public concern. Let us not forget that tribunal results are also matters of serious public interest. Many tribunal reports published during the years have sold out at the Government Publications Sale Office and Internet services have been interrupted as a result of the serious level of interest in them. I have no doubt there will be the same level of interest in the Smithwick tribunal's report when published.